Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Dana C. Covey, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Consultant to the Surgeon Geneal, Navy Orthopedic Specialty Leader, Executive Officer of Fleet Hospital FIVE, Director of Surgical Services, and Head, Orthopedic Surgery, Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington, from August 1991 to January 2001. Captain Covey demonstrated an unequaled combination of leadership, operational expertise, and clinical acumen that resulted in improved medical readiness of active duty personnel, and unchallenged operational primacy for Fleet Hospital FIVE. A superb leader of the Navy’s worldwide orthopedic surgery community and key consultant to the Surgeon General, he led Fleet Hospital FIVE to a near perfect score in combining the benefit and readiness missions in a manner previously unknown in Navy Medicine. Captain Covey’s outstanding research contributions have directly benefited our Sailors and Marines, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has singled out his unique achievements in military medicine for recognition. Always leading from the front, whether overseas in regions of combat or civil strife, or stateside in the management, research, or clinical arenas, he epitomizes the best of Navy Medicine. By his outstanding leadership, commendable innovation, and inspiring devotion to duty , Captain Covery reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    February – October 2004

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain Dana C. Covey, United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations involving conflict with an opposing force while serving as Officer-in-Charge, Forward Resuscitative Surgery System 3, Shock Trauma Platoon 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force from February to October 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. Captain Covey led from the front, during convoy operations, under fire, and during stressful surgery. As Officer-in-Charge, he guided a seamless transition into the combat theater, quickly molding personnel into a cohesive team. Invaluable to I Marine Expeditionary Force Civil Affairs Group efforts in western Iraq, he convoyed to the Syrian and Jordanian borders to perform health facility surveys, and repeatedly to Ar Rutbah, Iraq, despite an explosive device detonation and enemy threat. His planning garnered more than 1.2 million dollars for renovation and hospital reconstruction. With the onset of Operation VIGILANT RESOLVE, he was repositioned to Fallujah where he provided superb orthopedic surgical care to hundreds of personnel while personally exposing himself to grave danger during more than 100 indirect fire attacks. A true force multiplier, his exceptional skills would have otherwise required medical evacuation. Captain Covey’s total effectiveness, forceful leadership, and loyal devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.